Introduction - just bought a B10 3.3

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:01 pm

Picking the car up tomorrow mid morning (the only drawback being two bus journeys to get there - no lift alas!) and will take some pics sharpish!

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:07 pm

So picked it up today, lovely day for driving it and I had a smile on my face all the way from the filling station (the range was showing 5 miles when I picked it up - it's as though car dealers have an app that tells them how much petrol to put in with a pipette so you have just enough!) to parking up a couple of hours ago

It is a magnificent beastie, the engine is intoxicating, ride superb - I suspect Michelins PS will make it even better than the Falkens on it at present, but tough - they're brand new. The lcd matrices are the only short term issue, apart from that, it needs a serious wash, clay and polish and the manifold could do with touching up.

Some photos finally! It wasn't a great spot where I stopped and I'll do some better ones when I have polished it.

164 coupe · Post by **164 coupe** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:02 pm

Hi Charles,

Glad you are happy with the car. It looks real good.

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:25 pm

is this the car that was forsale by a trader for some months? about 106,000 on it?

Always looked nice in photos. Sounds like an e39 i'd like to own one day

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:39 pm

Not sure how long on the market, but it has just under 104k so probably is the same car.

I have certainly loved driving it so far - the handling is superlative, up there with an AMG C55 I had which had been fitted with Bilstein coilovers. The soundtrack is as addictive, but I have always loved the sound of BMW straight sixes letting rip.

I am going to have CPC give it a good going over.

nigee · Post by **nigee** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:24 pm

Looks good enjoy it

rcshott · Post by **rcshott** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:57 am

OOOOOOOOO! PURE!!! Think I'm close the similar, myself.

Alpina Jim · Post by **Alpina Jim** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:02 pm

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase, it looks good.

The only thing you need to change is the steering wheel, the 3 spoke would look good on mine and my 4 spoke would look good on yours, ha-ha.

Happy Alpina motoring.

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 8:49 pm

Another great run out today, it is a car that keeps me smiling, as well as comfortable.

I'm afraid I've become very attached to the three spoke wheel. In a car rather devoid of Alpina gizmos, other than that glorious engine and box, I think it has to stay.

Anybody know where I can get some Alpina floor mats? The car is currently wearing a set of ill-fitting Michelin rubber mats for some reason.

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:57 pm

Popped up to CPC Engineering today to have the car inspected, which it was with a fine tooth comb by Phil and his team. A very high attention to detail and thoroughness was evident, also a love of cars (we both had owned MBW 2002s). Apart from a weeping cable, a few pipes and cables incorrectly tied plus some play in the front offside wheel, a test run showed up no issues at all.

So overall a car in decent condition for 12 years old.

ollieebmw · Post by **ollieebmw** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:37 pm

Greetings

Welcome to the forum...Still love to hear the comments when people get their new Alpina. Brings back happy memories when I drove mine back on twisty A roads. Enjoy the ride and make sure you get to Gaydon

nigee · Post by **nigee** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:37 pm

Enjoy your car looks fab

CharlesM · Post by **CharlesM** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:50 pm

I am loving it.

I am not necessarily loving filling it up, but that's the price for a lot of fun.

Given time, I reckon this might become my favourite car of all. At this rate though I am going to be ringing the insurers to up the mileage limit. My sensible Mercedes W210 320cdi is sitting a little disconsolately on the drive, no doubt rusting away more quickly from the salt tears of despair..

Thanks to those who recommended CPC, I was very impressed by the thoroughness of the approach and the care shown by all.

JPR89 · Post by **JPR89** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:03 pm

Phil and his team are one of the best respected specialists around, no job too big or small and know the cars inside out, hence the recommendations

He's had a few of my Â£'s in the last 10 months

Unless you have a reason for it, please say you're going to rid of that hideous phone cradle...

Other than that car needs to be shown some more miles, then you can spend even more money and time cleaning it

pauly · Post by **pauly** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:02 am

Welcome along Charles, car looks well, glad you're enjoying it.